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In agreement with smoking ban

This is an issue that is constantly rearing it's head. Yes, since the smoking ban came into force it's a much better environment in pubs/clubs etc. I could not stand getting home from a night out with my hair and clothes stinking of smoke! If you want to smoke, that's fine, we all have a choice but why should members if the public be forced to breathe in the deadly concoction??!

Just last week, I was walking around the shops with my little boy, I lost count of the amount of times people either blew smoke directly into me or almost blinded my son with their haphazard arm gestures with a lit cigarette in their hand! If you're going to smoke at least be considerate about it.

Everybody in my household has made the constant decision not to smoke, and I don't see why our health should be put at risk through passive smoking of others. Especially young children who have no day whether they breathe in this deadly mixture.

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Smoking should be banned in public places.

I started smoking a few years ago, I thought why not my friends were so why shouldn't I. The thing with most smokers is it doesn't matter how much you are against it to start for most people they will try it at a party to be more social or just to say they have done it.

I puffed on my first cigarette at a party over a year ago and since then have become addicted. I don't have many friends now that smoke which isn't neccessarily a bad thing because it means I do go outside less as I don't always want to go on my own.

Many people smoke for all different reasons but since I start smoking we were never allowed to smoke indoors anyway or anywhere near public entrances to shops etc. For me it hasn't really effected me I go outside a few times a day and light a cigraette. It can be a way for some smokers to meet other people just by starting a conversation of 'Have you got a lighter I can borrow please?' or 'Can I pinch a fag?' and from then people often strike up a conversation with you.

The smoking ban like I said hasn't had a massive effect on me, although I am a smoker making people inhale passive smoke isn't nice. Before I smoked it would make me ill for days just because it loiters in the air. If anything I don't smoke as much as people who have since before the ban, because I don't have time, I don't like going outside on my own all the time and I absolutely hate standing in the rain.

But from a smokers point of view I completely agree. It is bad for us we know but we don't want it to effect other peoples health. Even in clubs or at parties now I smoke less because half of my friends don't want to come outside with me. I do agree though that there should be shelters for smokers at least especially if they can't smoke inside. I know its a horrible habit but at least then they can interact with each other.

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Yes, smoking should be banned in public areas.

Yes, I believe that smoking in a public areas should be banned. There are a variety of channels you can attack this argument with, from protecting the health of those who do not smoke to the simple aesthetics of the situation.

Personally, as someone who has studied the potential biological pitfalls that come with smoking and inhaling carcinogens I think it's a "no brainer". I cannot understand why potentially healthy members of the public should be forced to inhale potentially deadly fumes through no fault of their own. Those who claim the smoke from cigarettes and cigars isn't dangerous are quite simply wrong. The basic components of a cigarette, for example, can stimulate the uncontrolled growth of cells in your lungs (more commonly) and thus causing lung cancer, an example of a variety of conditions which can be induced by inhaling the smoke from cigarettes.

At the same time, I appreciate that we live in a free society, in a non-deterministic universe and if someone wishes to smoke then they are more than welcome to. Quite frankly what anyone does in their own private life has nothing to do with me and as such shouldn't concern me - it simply doesn't affect me. Hence, I'm not arguing that smoking should be blanket banned, I understand that some use smoking as a release for stressful lives and some just enjoy smoking, which is fair enough.

However, I do take "offence" to those who insist on smoking in public areas, forcing myself and other non-smokers of the community to inhale smoke (which I think tastes/smells revolting anyway) which may cause irreparable damage to my respiratory system. So to conclude and concatenate, smoking should be banned in public areas.

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o

I have very stong feelings regarding smoking in public, mostly because I cant stand it. The smell of cigarette- it makes me sick and suffocated. It is extremely annoying to have to be subjected to it when I dont want to, and in places where I least expect it, like a bus stop.

I accept that people have a right to smoke if they want to, but people who smoke should realise that there may be people like me who cant bear the horrible smell. There are health problems associated as well, but that is secondary for me. Every time I go to London I walk around with my nose covered unless I am inside a shop or restaurant. It seems to me that every other person on the streets of London smoke. Perhaps that is why London is so polluted!

Any how I really think that people who choose to smoke should so where it does not bother the ones that dont want to.

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Ban it indoors but leave the outdoors alone

I am a smoker, I would like to state this first however I am determined to make this as unbiased as humanly possible. I started smoking at a young but I do not regret it - yet! I don't really remember a time where smoking was allowed wherever you wanted, I was to young to really notice. But when I started smoking it was just after the ban on smoking indoors like restaurants, on trains and in company cars. It was extremely inconvenient especially in the winter when you have to stand outside in the cold and rain but I suppose thats the decision you make when you take up smoking. I also think this is a fair decision as stale smoke doesn't smell particularly attractive and if your trying to eat a meal the last thing you really want is a face full of smoke from the family opposite, I was happy to hear that smoking rooms are still available in most hotels.I was however extremely annoyed when I went to the hospital with my grandmother to get her cataracts removed. We were sat in the hospital for a few hours before she went off theatre and I took the opportunity to sneak off for a cigarette. I stepped out of the main doors and went just around the corner to be considerate and not smoke around people walking into the hospital but I was shocked to see huge signs stating that it was a smoke free site. I understand that hospitals are obviously going to try and stop people smoking for health reasons but it is your choice. I dont see what stopping people smoking in public is going to do other than cause people to stop going out or just break any laws. If you are smoking outdoors the smoke will mgo up to the sky and not really annoy anyone, it also begs the question, where do the smokers smoke? I can't see it's harming anyone other than the people with the cigarettes hanging out their mouths. So no I do not think that smoking should be banned in outdoor public places but it is fine to ban smoking in indoor public places.

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I'm in favour of a public ban

Firstly, I'd better say that I am a non - smoker, who has never been a smoker and doesn't intend to start anytime soon. I am not particularly personally bothered by people smoking in public, as generally I have found that it is not in your face, and people are considerate of others who may not smoke. I understand however that this probably means I'm pretty lucky as I know that there are some very rude people out there who will stand right on top of you, etc smoking and being generally ignorant. I expect if I had children I would feel very strongly about the issue and would really not be happy about smoking in public. The main reason issue I have with smoking in public is the fact that it has negative health effects, whether you are the one smoking or not. This is why I think that is should not be acceptable to smoke in public, and I think that if our government had any back bone then they would have also raised this issue and done something. I mean what is the point in concealing tobacco from sight in shops, when the biggest promoters of smoking are people who do it in public?! Aside from this, it's also not very nice to be walking down a high street or road that's littered with cigarette butts. This wouldn't be the case if it were banned. On the other hand, perhaps a total public ban would have negative effects, especially on those who go outside to smoke rather than staying inside. When I was young my dad never smoked inside. He would either sit in the garden or, more commonly walk the dog around the block several times a day, which was just long enough to have a smoke. A public ban would restrict people like him, meaning that more children and non-smoking family members have to put up with second hand smoking. Then again, it may prompt many to kick the habit. Final verdict: people chose to smoke and these days the effects are well known. I believe it's unfair to non-smokers that they can do it in public, and am in favour of a public ban.

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allow people the right to walk down the street without inhaling second hand smoke

It's true i'm a non smoker, i've never been a smoker and clearly have a slightly biased opinion. I'm always quite balance in my views usually though and I do truly believe in the freedom of choice.

For me the banning of smoking in bars, restaurants etc has been a great thing. Now I can go into bars and not breathe in smoke against my will, my clothes don't stink of stale smoke after a night out. I choose to be a non smoker, and therefore this is my right -by not smoking I am not endangering anyones life.

A smoker has the right to choose to smoke and accepts all the risks that this brings to their own health and to a certain extent i'm fine with this (although I do have some feelings about the costs of treating smoking related illness to the NHS). The problem is that by smoking in a public place a smoker cannot help but spread the dangers of cigarette smoke around. I don't want to be a passive smoker.

Whilst the idea of smoke free bars and restaurants is great, i'm still very often faced with a face full of smoke whilst walking down a street. Why is it fair that someone can assault me with their smoke - if i hurt them by punching them in the face that would be illegal.

I think we are a little way off of a total public smoking ban, but it needs to happen. Society needs to allow people to be able to not be exposed to passive smoking against their will.

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A good idea

As a smoker, you'd probably expect me to disagree to banning smoking in public places. Being able to spark up without having to go and stand outside in the cold would be lovely to be honest, but I really don't think that it is fair on the non-smokers around you.

I only started smoking a year ago, because they were ridiculously cheap when I went on holiday and I got addicted without really realising. When I was abroad, you could smoke in the bars and restaurants, and although it's obviously more convenient, it felt weird and I still went outside most of the time, or chose tables outside.

When I didn't smoke, I remember being at Bingo or in the pub which was pretty much filled with smokers and I hated it. It really irritated me that I didn't smoke, but was still getting the lung damage from the smokers around me. I think people who choose not to smoke should be able to sit in their local without having to breathe in other peoples smoke and end up smelling like they've had a cigarette anyway.

I agree with banning smoking in restaurants and pubs etc. . not only for adult non-smokers but also for the children that you tend to get running around the place. I know a pub isn't really a place for a child, but I see a lot in the pub I go in as it is a family place, and I know I wouldn't really like my grandchildren surrounded by smoke.

At home, I don't smoke in the house at all so I don't see why it should be any different when I go out.

The only thing I think there should be more of, are smoking shelters. Most times I go out, I end up standing in the cold, often getting wet in typical British weather just to have a cigarette. I know it's our choice to smoke, but it's been made illegal to stand indoors, so I don't think it would hurt to put up somewhere where you can smoke a bit more comfortably. The Mecca Bingo club I go to has installed bus-shelter like smoking shelters with little heaters on them, which I think is good because many people these days do smoke.

That said, I don't think that smoking on the street should be banned. Many times when I've been bored waiting for the bus or walking the dog, it's nice to have a cigarette and there's not always someone about to breathe it in, so I don't see the problem with it. I've heard rumours that they are thinking about making it illegal to smoke outside your own house completely, although I don't think this would go down well at all with many people as it would cause businessess like pubs to lose a lot of money, again.

Overall, I agree with the smoking ban in public places but just hope they don't take it too far and make it really awkward for smokers to enjoy a cigarette when they go out.

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Quit now, before it's too late for you and your loved ones.

My dad has been a smoker for over 60 years. He started when he was 8 years old. Crazy, I know, but it happened just as easily all those years ago as it does now. A couple of months ago he was diagnosed with a tumour in his lung. He had gone in for chest pains and the X-Rays revealed the dark spot on his lung. The doctor prepared him and us for the worst. Thankfully, after having all the necessary tests, they said that it is "non-active". I don't know what this means, but I am assuming that it means the same as "benign". Anyway, they have left him now for 3 months to see him again then and see how it is progressing.

One of the reasons I was so heartbroken about my dads diagnosis is because he had finally quit smoking only 6 months before it. When I was a baby he bought cigarettes instead of nappies. We can laugh about it now, but it's no lie that he has always put the cigarettes before the family. I guess that's part of being an addict.

When he finally quit smoking it was almost as if I was dreaming. He had tried and failed many, many times in the past, and it seemed as if he was just destined to smoke himself to death. The doctors had always been amazed that he didn't have any lung problems, or other cancers due to the smoking, especially when they knew he had smoked since aged 8.

I pray every day that my dads tumour will not get any worse, because I don't know if I could cope with having to go through all of that with him. Lung cancer is a big killer in this world, and although it's not only caused by smoking, my dads is very probably down to his habit. It would be so ironic if he was to get lung cancer after having finally quit smoking.

If banning smoking in public places stops just one person from taking up the habit, or causes a handful of people to quit, then I am all for it. Smokers sometimes have the attitude "It's my life, I'm not hurting anyone else. If I get cancer that's my fault and I accept that". But they don't think about their families all the time, the people who have to go through it all with them. They don't think about what will happen to them afterwards.

My dad hasn't actually said it, but I can tell from the look in his eyes and the way he acts now that if he had the opportunity to go back in time and stop himself ever starting smoking, he would do it. I can see the pain in his eyes, the sadness now that he didn't have before. I can tell he regrets all those years of smoking, asking himself "What if....". What if he had never started? What if he had stopped at 21? What if he had stopped at 30? What if he had quit just a year sooner than he did?

Life is full of what ifs..... don't be one of them. :(

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stupid idea by the small minded

This may sound strange, but i am saying no, as a NON smoker. Mainly this is because it has already been made illegal for health reasons in indoor places, which is fair enough, But to ban it outright in public places would effectively cripple the economy, due to the fact that if a smoker was to go out, then if they wanted to smoke, they could no longer just "pop out the front", they would effectively have to go home, this would leed to people who smoke not going out, and judging by the ammount of people these days in smoking gardens, this would effectively shut down many clubs and clubs, and because everyone has a few friends who smoke, this would leed to more and more people not going out at all, shutting down restaraunts and even some shops, thus crippeling the economy, and not to mention, it is fair enough to ban it inside due to the health risks, but to effectively force people to quit would ammount to what could be interpreted as a breach of human rights.

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Great idea which has worked well.

Being a smoker, I absolutely despised the smoking ban when it was first put into place in 2007. I liked nothing more than to sit in my favourite pub with a nice cold glass of lager and puff away on my favourite brand. Since then my attitude towards it has changed somewhat.

Apart from the health threats to non-smokers I have found many advantages of the smoking ban myself.

I no longer stink of smoke the morning after a night out which is always a good thing. My hair in particular was especially stinky. I have also found that I smoke a lot less when I go out than I used to. It was too easy just to reach for another cigarette, but now having to go outside, especially when out with friend who don't smoke has made me cut down considerably.

Smoking in public now since the ban is a lot more social I find, there is always someone to chat to, even if they are a total stranger, the fact that you are both outside puffing away seems to automatically establish some common ground.

Another great thing about the smoking ban is being able to walk through crowded places without the fear of getting my skin or clothing burned, something which has happened a lot to me before the ban.

Overall, I think the smoking ban was a step in the right direction for a number of reasons and being a smoker myself, it hasn't seemed to have made much difference to me at all. I can't see what all the fuss is about.

I do think however that better facilities should be considered for people who do smoke. Nicer smoking areas which provide shelter from the elements should be available more widely.

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I don't like smoking, but the ban is a ridiculous idea

I may end up offending a lot of people, both smokers and non-smokers by saying this, but in an ideal world I would love if smoking was banned in public, simply because I don't want to be smoking passively (and also, the smell of cigarette smoke on my clothes is not a smell I particularly enjoy). However, realistically speaking, I think this is silly and very unlikely to happen.

Whether a person chooses to smoke or not should not affect others, because it is of course a human right to make choices for your personal being. If we started at banning smoking in public places, where would it stop. Would there be controlling measures on how we dress in public, because that offends people. Ok, so passive smoking has harmful effects on others. What about drinking in public places then? Because drunkenness does result in a number of crimes.

Another thing we need to consider is, how would it be possible to enforce the ban. It would be quite easy for people to smoke in many public places, without any one to enforce the law or punishments.

I think the government is better off leaving things as they are...There's no need to stir things up

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I think it would be ridiculous to review the smoking ban, as Doctor Rouse said on Anglia news this evening it would have a very negative effect. I am a non smoker but I know that 1 in 2 smokers think that the smoking ban is effective and are happy with it. I have worked in pubs for years and pub closures have got absoultely nothing to do with the smoking bans, people didnt go to pubs to smoke they go to socialise and to have a drink/meal, so to say people stopped going and spending in pubs because they cant smoke is ridiculous and completely untrue. Pubs are closing due to the recession and the rise in prices. People cannot afford to continue to go and eat and drink as regularly as before. To reconsider the smoking ban now would have an extremely negative effect on everyone.

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read review!

As a smoker myself who is always trying to quit! I was actually quite glad when the smoking ban come into affect especially within pubs!

I used to find when being in a pub before the smoking ban I would literally walk into a cloud of smoke and my eyes would be red raw from it at the end of the night! I also thinks it helps smokers not to smoke so much when your out.

On occasions when I am out with family and I have to go outside for a fag I always feel quite rude and anti social!

I think smoking is not what it used to be and I think even as a smoker it has become very anti social.

I think it's great aswell as people that don't smoke even though there were smoking and non smoking areas for example in a restaurant the smoke still drifted! this being not very pleasant for non smokers. Also no one wants there kids being wafted with smoke!

Smoking as we all aware is very bad for your health so I think it was unfair to have smoking everywhere and put other people at risk as it is a fact that passive smoking can actually be more dangerous. So designated smoking areas I think was a good idea. Still fair on the smokers and fair on the non smokers for who didnt want to come back from somewhere stinking of an ashtray!

I hope one day I can quit for good, as I do find it a dirty habit! Just a shame its so addictive! More will power needed!

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not infront of me please

yes!

As a child i had a very mild case of astma, it lasted till i was around seven. I then carried on with my life alike most childrens to teenagers, dussenly deciding i wanted to go to pubs and drink, you know as teens do, not a yound teen may I add.

Anyway I have never been a smoker, i have never seen the appeal.

At University in my first year I lived with 2 smokers in a non-smoking flat, just walking down the street with them or going to a pub had such a huge affect on me, i now struggle with breathing a lot, i have a blue and brown inhaler and i keep them on me at all times.

My breathing has deteriorated over the years, that i have now gained weight going from a size 10 to 14/16 as i struggle in the gym as i get so breathless.

I blame smokers personally, and smoke polluted areas.

I understand that smokers get cravings and nicotine is an addictive, making it almost intolerable to quit. However i find it a bit stupid that they started in the first place. I mean okay prior 10 years fair enough, however the last 10 years have shown nothing popstive toward smoking. It has been more than evident how bad it is, so why are people still starting to smoke.

If i was PM i would increase the tax to something rediculous, maybe making cigs worth around £10 for 20, that'd make more people stop.

I just find it unfair that people alike me have to be in close proximity as the smoke. Walking out of pubs, clubs, work i get a puff of fag smoke in my face. Its not fair.